As the world observed World Malaria Day 2026, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has urged for expanded local pharmaceutical manufacturing and increased investment in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) as essential measures to hasten malaria elimination in Nigeria. The company made this call in alignment with the global theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must,” emphasizing that meaningful progress requires urgent, coordinated action focused on strengthening domestic production capacity, advancing innovation, and expanding access to life-saving treatments, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.
Despite notable global advancements, Emzor noted that malaria remains a major public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria bearing the heaviest burden. Citing data from the World Health Organization, the firm stated that Nigeria accounts for approximately 27 percent of global malaria cases and nearly one in three malaria-related deaths, with children under five being disproportionately affected.
Local Manufacturing as a Pillar of Health Security
Executive Director of Emzor, Uzoma Ezeoke, stated that addressing these realities requires more than intermittent interventions; it demands a deliberate shift toward building resilient health systems anchored on local pharmaceutical manufacturing. She explained that strengthening domestic production would not only ensure consistent access to quality medicines but also reduce exposure to global supply chain disruptions. Ezeoke added that closing critical access gaps depends on the ability to produce high-quality, WHO-compliant antimalarials within the country, describing local manufacturing as central to national health security, economic stability, and the long-term sustainability of malaria control efforts.
Investment in APIs: The Next Frontier
Building on this, the company emphasized the need to invest in the domestic production of APIs, noting that while finished medicines are produced locally, their core components are still largely imported. It stated that developing local API capacity would strengthen the pharmaceutical value chain, reduce dependence on foreign markets, and improve the availability and affordability of essential medicines. Chairman of Emzor Group, Emeka Okoli, said local API manufacturing represents the next frontier for Nigeria and Africa, adding that achieving sustainable malaria elimination requires building a foundation of pharmaceutical independence. He noted that investment in API capacity would not only enhance quality control across production processes but also support job creation and position Nigeria as a regional pharmaceutical hub.
Innovative Treatments for Vulnerable Populations
Beyond manufacturing, Emzor highlighted its ongoing efforts to expand access to WHO-compliant antimalarial therapies through innovation tailored to patient needs. The company pointed to Lokmal Dispersible Tablets, developed for children aged three months to five years, noting that its dispersible formulation allows for easier administration in water or milk, improving dosing accuracy and adherence. It also referenced Maldox, used for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy, as part of efforts to reduce malaria-related complications among pregnant women and their babies. Ezeoke stated that the company’s approach extends beyond manufacturing to ensuring that treatments are practical, accessible, and effective for real-world use, particularly among populations most affected by malaria, including children and pregnant women.
Call for Collective Action
Calling for collective action, Okoli urged government agencies, policymakers, development partners, and private sector investors to prioritize funding for pharmaceutical manufacturing infrastructure and implement policies that encourage innovation and capacity building. He said the current global momentum presents both an opportunity and an obligation for Nigeria to take decisive steps toward malaria elimination.
